5/12/24 Cubs (Hendricks) @ Pirates 12:35 pm

[BigbadB]

7 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

Also just watching the replay of the game, what the hell is it with all the outs on the bases (Bellinger in the 10th)?  Many of these are somewhat explainable in a vacuum, albeit still a mistake (for example Bellinger expected a play at the plate and instead it was cut off) but when you put them all together you have a team that leads the league in outs on the bases (20), and 4 more outs than any other team in baseball outside of the Nationals (who have 19). 
 

What do you chalk up all these outs to? Just bad luck?  I don’t know if you can blame managing for many of the outs, you can maybe criticize all the outs at home on contact plays (though again individually most of them are the right call), but Bellinger for instance is pretty consistently rated as an above average baserunner in his career. He’s no Anthony Rizzo by any means. 

A more aggressive running game will lead to more outs on the base paths. However, it has also led to more runs scored that may not have otherwise. I wouldn't be concerned about leading the league in outs on the base paths if they end up on the winning side of games more often than the losing side. And I wouldn't say these running gaffes are the reason they aren't leading the division. That honor belongs to the bullpen.